Sharing the Spirit of Christmas Year-Round

Sweet Gum Stars: Happy Earth Day

‘Tis the season for planting a garden and celebrating the beauty of the natural world.

While my giant radishes are growing (to prepare for The Night of Radishes–see Jeremy’s post on April 21), I’m looking a little closer to home for nature to inspire Christmas ideas.

How about the ugly little prickly seed of the sweet gum tree? I have found the ultimate transformation of seed-to-star. This beautiful idea is posted on the PA Department of Environmental Protection website. It’s a sweet gum tree seed with toothpicks glued into each hole and then spray painted. I saw examples of gold and silver. I think I’d add a little glitter, too.

The downside is that unless I buy them at the craft store, I’ll have to wait until fall to pick them up on the side of the road. I think they’ll look great!